Discharge chute for vibratory finishing machine

ABSTRACT

A discharge chute for a vibratory finishing machine including a downwardly inclined vibratory chamber and means for vibrating the chamber to impart movement of workpieces and a finishing media within the chamber in a generally elliptical path transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chamber, the chute comprising a series of longitudinally alternately arranged generally vertically and horizontal surfaces defining a plurality of stepshaped elements adapted to impart an upwardly directed force on the workpieces and finishing media moving into engagement therewith, whereby the workpieces and media may be elevated toward a relatively elevated position.

United State s Patent [191 Anderson Mar. '18, 1975 1 DISCHARGE CHUTE FOR VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Gordon II. Anderson, Albert Lea,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: King-Seely Thermos Co., Ann

Arbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 298,426

[52] U.S. C1. 51/163, 198/220 A, 198/220 BA [51] Int. Cl B24b 31/06, B24b 31/12 [58] Field of Search 51/163, 7; 241/171, 175, 241/181, 152 R; 198/220 BA, 220 A, 59-61; 209/255, 259, 490, 493, 494

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 218,757 8/1879 Martin 198/220 BA 2,618,376 11/1952 May i 198/220 BA 2,897,946 8/1959 Coffman 198/220 BA X 3,148,483 9/1964 -Van Fossen 51/163 X 3,407,542 10/1968 McKibben 198/220 BA X 3,552,068 l/l971 Van Fossen 241/175 X 3,608,243 9/1971 Ferrara 51/7 3,624,970 12/1971 Balz 51/163 3,633,321 l/l972 Rise 51/163 Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Nicholas P. Godici Attorney, Agent, or Firm1-1arness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT A discharge chute for a vibratory finishing machine including a downwardly inclined vibratory chamber and means for vibrating the chamber to impart movement of workpieces and a finishing media within the chamber in a generally elliptical path transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chamber, the chute comprising a series of longitudinally alternately arranged generally vertically and horizontal surfaces defining a plurality of step-shaped elements adapted to impart an upwardly directed force on the workpieces and finishing media moving into engagement therewith, whereby the workpieces and media may be elevated toward a relatively elevated position.

14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARI a. 87 1.135 sum-:1 2 {f 2 DISCHARGE CHUTE FOR VIBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally directed toward a new and improved discharge chute for operative association with a vibratory finishing machine of the type adapted to receive workpieces and a finishing media which are subjected to vibratory movement, whereby the media functions to deburr or otherwise provide a predetermined finish on the workpieces. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a discharge chute of the above character which is cooperable with a through-feed type vibratory finishing machine wherein the workpieces and media are introduced at one end of a vibratory tub or chamber and move longitudinally along the chamber. When the media and workpieces reach the terminal end of the chamber, they are communicated via the discharge chute to a discharge apparatus where the media may be recycled within the system and the workpieces are communicated to a suitable conveying apparatus or the like. Motion of the vibrating tube or chamber is in the form of an elliptical pattern about the longitudinal axis thereof. Since no particular motion of the workpieces and finishing media toward the discharge end of the chamber is imparted by the chamber, the aforesaid longitudinal movement of the combination of the workpieces and media results from the fact that the dis charge end ofthe chamber is arranged somewhat lower than the forward or inlet end thereof.

While the aforedescribed through feed type vibratory finishing machine is operated satisfactorily in the past, the particular discharge means associated therewith has had certain limitations in that in order to move the workpieces through the tub or finishing chamber, the flow of media must be sufficiently deep in order to carry the parts; however, deep media flow brings about rapid movement of the parts through the tub, with the result that it has been possible for the parts to be discharged from the tub before the desired finishing operation has been completed. It has been heretofore proposed to provide a vertical wall at the end of the tub or instead, to provide a discharge chute which is inclined upwardly to help the parts move toward a relatively elevated position where they may be separated from the media and subsequently communicated to some predetermined destination; however, due to the fact that in most cases the specific gravity of the workpieces is greater than that of the media, the workpieces tend to sink to the bottom of the media and thus are not transferred over a vertical wall. Insofar as an inclined discharge chute is concerned, it has been found that such an upwardly inclined chute imparts rearwardly directed force vectors against the workpieces, which in turn results in reverse longitudinal movement of the workpieces instead of the desired forward movement thereof. This, of course, impedes the discharge of the workpieces.

The present invention is intended to overcome the aforedescribed problems heretofore encountered with through-feed type vibratory finishing machines through the provision of a novel discharge chute design which obviates the possibility of a rearward or backward imparted force being applied to the workpieces as they are transmitted or discharged from the finishing tub. The discharge chute of the present invention, in broadpieces and media toward a relatively elevated position in an extremely simple and economical manner. The step-shaped elements generally comprise a series of alternately longitudinally arranged vertical and horizon tal surfaces which impart vertical upward movement to the workpieces but do not impart any rearward movement, as is the case with an upwardly inclined chute known in the prior art. Accordingly, the workpieces are efficiently discharged from the finishing tub so that they may be separated from the media and subsequently communicated away from the machine, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved discharge chute for a vibratory finishing machine.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide discharge chute of the above character which generally comprises a series of longitudinally spaced step-shaped elements that function to communicate workpieces and finishing media from a relatively lower position to a relatively elevated position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved discharge chute, as above described, that positively prevents rearwardly directed forces being imparted to the workpieces as they move longitudinally away from the finishing tub.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved discharge chute for a vibratory finishing machine that is of an extremely simple construction, is economical to manufacture and install and which may be utilized on both new equipment and retrofitted on existing through-feed type vibratory finishing machines.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a typical through-feed type vibratory finishing machine incorporating a new and improved discharge chute of the present invention therein;

FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the discharge chute of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the discharge chute illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a slightly modified embodiment of the discharge chute of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic presentation of the force vectors applied to workpieces and media transmitted away from a finishing tub with a discharge chute known in the prior art;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5 which shows the force vectors applied to the workpieces and finishing media discharged from a finishing tub by means of the discharge chute of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 and illustrates the force vectors applied to the finishing media and workpieces transmitted away from the finishing tub by means of the discharge chute shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a vibratory finishing machine is shown generally as comprising a base or support structure 12 which is adapted to support an elongated, longitudinally extending forwardly and downwardly inclined chamber or tub 14. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the finishing machine 10 is of the through-feed type and is adapted to have a plurality of workpieces W and a quantity of finishing media M inserted at an inlet end 16 of the tub 14. The workpieces W and media M are then subjected to vibratory movement due to energization of the machine 10, whereby the media M performs a finishing or deburring operation on the workpieces W. The finishing tub 14 includes an outlet .18 at the end thereof opposite the inlet end 16, with the outlet end 18 being somewhat lower than the inlet end 16, whereby when workpieces W and media M are inserted into the tub 14 to the inlet end thereof, the workpieces W and media M will move longitudinally of the tub 14 toward the outlet end 18.

Disposed adjacent and somewhat above the outlet end 18 of the finishing tub 14 is a separator assembly, generally designated by the numberal 20, which includes an elongated separating trough 21 having an inlet end 22 adapted to receive workpieces W and media M from the outlet end 18 of the finishing tub 14. The trough 21 also includes an outlet end 24 which is communicable with a suitable conveyor or the like by which the workpieces W may be transmitted to some predetermined destination. As is well known in the art, the assembly may be provided with a perforated screen through which the media M will pass, thereby separating the workpieces W from the media M.

The media M, thus separated from the workpieces W, may be communicated via a suitable elevator or conveyor 26 to a position adjacent the inlet end 16 of the finishing tub 14 where the finishing media M may be recycled. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, disposed interjacent the outlet end 18 ofthe finishing tub 14 and the inlet end 22 ofa separator assembly 20 is a discharge chute, generally designated by the numeral 28, which functions to communicate the workpieces W and media M from the finishing tub 14 to the separator assembly 20. Briefly, in operation of the finishing machine 10, the plurality of workpieces W and media M are inserted at the inlet end 16 of the finishingtub 14 and the machine 10 is properly energized so as to cause the tub l4 and the contents thereof to vibrate. Preferably the vibratory motion of the tub 14 is in the form of an eliptical pattern about the longitudinal axis of the tub 14. Accordingly, no particular motion of the parts toward the discharge or outlet end 18 of the tub 14 occurs; however, due to the lower position of the outlet end 18 of the tub 14 relative to the inlet end 16 thereof, the workpieces W and media M move longitudinally toward the outlet end 18 during the aforesaid vibratory movement of the tub 14. When the workpieces W and media M reach the discharge chute 28, said workpieces W and media M are moved longitudinally and elevated upwardly from the relatively lower position at the outlet end 18 of the finishing tab 14 to the relatively elevated position of the separator assembly 20. Thereafter, the workpieces W and media M move longitudinally along the trough 21,

wherein the media M is separated from the workpieces W. The media M may then be transferred back via a conveyor 26 to the inlet end 16 of the tub 14 and the workpieces W may be transferred to a suitable conveyor, pallet boxes, or the like where the same may be conveniently transferred to some predetermined location.

Referring now in detail to the construction of the discharge chute 28, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the chute 28 is of a generally U-shaped configuration in transverse section and comprises arcuate bottom section 30 which is inclined upwardly and forwardly. The chute 20 also comprises a pair of generally spaced parallel side wall sections 32 and 34 which are integrally connected to the bottom section 30 and are joined thereto in a manner so as to form a smooth continuous surface on the interior of the chute 28. As best seen in FIG. 3, the downstream end 36 of the chute 28 is provided with an outwardly projecting flange portion 38 which is adapted to be fixedly secured by any suitable means to the outlet end 18 of the finishing tub 14. It will be noted that when the flange 38 is thus secured to the tub 14, the inlet end 36 of the chute 28 is generally vertically aligned with the outlet end 18 of the tub 14. The upper edges of the side wall section 32, 34 of the discharge chute 28 are formed with a pair of laterally outwardly extending flange portions or shoulders 40 and 41 which are connected to the upper extremities of the flange 38, as best seen in FIG. 2. The upper or downstream end of the discharge chute 28 is formed with a generally horizontally disposed section 42 which, upon operative association of the discharge chute 28 with the finishing machine 10 and separator assembly 20, is preferably vertically aligned with or slightly above the bottom of the trough 21 of the separator assembly 20, whereby workpieces W and media M which are being transferred from the finishing machine 10 to the assembly 20 may be readily conveyed therebetween.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the interior of the discharge chute 2-8 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally and horizontally spaced, vertically extending surfaces 44 and with a plurality of longitudinally and vertically spaced, substantially horizontally extending surfaces 46, which surfaces 44 and 46 are longitudinally alternately arranged and define a series of generally step-shaped elements 48 that extend transversely across the chute 28 and are formed integrally in the arcuate bottom section 30 thereof. As illustrated, each of the surfaces 46 is continuous in direction between the vertical surfaces 44 at the longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Accordingly, from the time the finishing media M and workpieces W pass longitudinally over the surface 44 at the upstream end of each of the elements 48, such media and workpieces can move continuously in the same direction along the surface 46 without being subject to any significant change in direction (other than minor variation in direction imposed by vibrational movement of the chute 28) until the media and workpieces reach the vertical surface 44 at the downstream end ofthe particular elements.

In operation of the finishing machine 10, the discharge chute 28 will be subjected to the aforementioned vibratory movement of the finishing tub 14. This vibratory movement will cause the discharge chute 28 to move or vibrate in an elliptical path about the longitudinal axis of the machine 10, whereby generally vertically directed forces, as indicated by the force vector 52 in FIG. 6 will be imparted against the workpieces W and media M which are being transferred from the tub 14 to the separator assembly 20. Due to the continuously forward movement of the workpieces W and media M within the tub 14, the workpieces W and media M will be moved longitudinally within the discharge chute 28 as well as be elevated upwardly along the series of step-shaped elements 48. It will be noted that by virtue of the fact there is no major portion of the discharge chute 48 having a generally vertically upwardly and longitudinally inclined surface, any rearward directed force vector which would be exerted against the workpieces and media as a result of such an inclined surface is minimized to the extreme. Reference will be made to FIG. 5 wherein a typical prior art discharge chute is shown having a continuously upwardly inclined lower surface 54. With this arrangement, both vertical and rearwardly directed force vectors 56 and 58 are exerted against the workpieces and media, which vectors 56, 58 cause a resultant rearward force, representative or designated by the vector 60, to be exerted against the workpieces and media, thereby resisting forward movement of the workpieces and media through the discharge chute 28. Thus, the present invention minimizes to the extreme and rearward forces exerted against the workpieces and media so as to reduce, if not totally eliminating any impeding of the workpieces and media toward the separator assembly from the finishing tub.

Reference will be made to FIG. 4 wherein a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising a discharge chute 28' which is substantially identical in construction and operation to the aforedescribed discharge chute 28, with the exception that each of a plurality of surfaces, herein designated by the numeral 46, analogous to the above discussed surfaces 46 and defining the upper extremity of each of a plurality of step-shaped elements 48', are inclined slightly downwardly toward the discharge end of the chute 28', as indicated by the angle A in FIG. 4. By virtue of the forwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces 46', not only is a vertical force exerted against the workpieces and media being communicated through the chute 28', as indicated by the force vector 62 in FIG. 7, but also a forwardly and upwardly directed force is exerted against said workpieces, as indicated by the numeral 66. The resultant force of the vector 62 and 66 is representatively shown by the vector 68 Thus, with the embodiment of the discharge chute shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, not only is there no rearward force exerted against the workpieces and media, but instead, an actual forwardly directed force is obtained. Accordingly, a highly efficient discharge of workpieces and media will be experienced.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a novel discharge chute for vibratory finishing machines which minimizes to the extreme any rearwardly directed forces being exerted-against the workpieces and media as the same travel longitudinally from the associated finishing tub to a separator assembly or some other predetermined destination. The discharge chute of the present invention will be seen as being of an extremely simple design so that the same may be economically manufactured and easily installed in both original equipment and as a replacement for existing discharge chutes now in use. The particular construction of the discharge chutes of the present inven tion may be of various designs, for example. the chutes may be fabricated of molded polyurethane or various other materials which assure against damage to the workpieces being communicated thereby.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

I. In combination in a vibratory finishing machine including an elongated finishing chamber having a discharge section atone end thereof and located at a preselected height,

a discharge chute adapted to transfer workpieces and finishing media upwardly from the discharge end of the finishing chamber toward a preselected area located above said discharge end thereof,

means for causing vibratory movement to said discharge chute,

said chute comprising a plurality of successive longitudinally arranged step-shaped elements for imparting an upwardly directed force on the workpieces and media upon vibratory movement of the chamber,

each of said elements comprising a generally vertical forward portion facing toward the direction from which said workpieces and media are moving, and a substantially horizontally disposed portion extending in the direction of movement of said workpieces and media from the forward portion of the associated element to the forward portion of the next adjacent element,

said substantially horizontally disposed portion ex tending slightly downwardly from the forward por tion of the associated element toward the next adjacent dowstream element.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said discharge chute is of a generally U-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said discharge chute comprises a generally arcuate shaped upwardly inclined bottom section and a pair of laterally spaced side sections, and wherein said step-shaped elements are longitudinally spaced along said arcuate bottom section and extend laterally between said side sections.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said discharge chute is of a one-piece molded construction.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which in cludes a separator assembly disposed downstream from said finishing machine and adapted to effect separation of workpieces from said finishing media, and wherein said discharge chute is disposed interja'cent the outlet end of said finishing machine and the inlet end of said separator assembly.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said finishing chamber comprises an elongated tub having inlet and outlet ends, said inlet end being elevated relative to said outlet end, wherein said separator as sembly is disposed above said outlet end of said finishing tub, and wherein said discharge chute is adapted to effect elevation ofworkpieces and media from said outlet end of said finshing tub to said separator assembly.

7. the invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for causing vibratory movement of said discharge chute imparts no forward movement of said workpieces and media.

8. A discharge chute for a vibratory finishing ma chine including a downwardly inclined finishing chamber and vibratory means for imparting movement in a generally elliptical path transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chamber,

said chute comprising a series of longitudinally arranged step-like elements adapted to impart an upwardly directed force on workpieces and finishing media moving into engagement therewith,

each of said elements comprising a generally vertical forward portion facing toward the direction from which said workpieces and media are moving, and a substantially horizontally disposed portion extending in the direction of movement of said workpieces and media from the forward portion of the associated element to the forward portion of the next adjacent element,

said substantially horizontally disposed portion extending slightly downwardly from the forward por tion of the associated element toward the next adjacent downstream element. 9. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 8 wherein said discharge chute is ofa generally U-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section.

10. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 9 wherein said discharge chute comprises a generally arcuate shaped upwardly inclined bottom section and a pair of laterally spaced side sections, and wherein said stepshaped elements are longitudinally spaced along said arcuate bottom section and extend laterally between said side sections.

11. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 10 which includes attachment flange means formed integrally of said discharge chute for securing the same to an associated finishing machine.

12. The discharge chute as set forth in claim 8 which is adapted to be operatively associated with a conveyor disposed downstream of said finishing machine.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said conveyor is disposed above the discharge end of a finishing tub of the finishing machine, and wherein said discharge chute is adapted to transfer finishing media and workpieces upwardly from the discharge end of said finishing chamber to the relatively elevated conveyor. 7

14. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for causing vibratory movement of said discharge chute imparts no forward movement of said workpieces and media 

1. In combination in a vibratory finishing machine including an elongated finishing chamber having a discharge section at one end thereof and located at a preselected height, a discharge chute adapted to transfer workpieces and finishing media upwardly from the discharge end of the finishing chamber toward a preselected area located above said discharge end thereof, means for causing vibratory movement to said discharge chute, said chute comprising a plurality of successive longitudinally arranged step-shaped elements for imparting an upwardly directed force on the workpieces and media upon vibratory movement of the chamber, each of said elements comprising a generally vertical forward portion facing toward the direction from which said workpieces and media are moving, and a substantially horizontally disposed portion extending in the direction of movement of said workpieCes and media from the forward portion of the associated element to the forward portion of the next adjacent element, said substantially horizontally disposed portion extending slightly downwardly from the forward portion of the associated element toward the next adjacent dowstream element.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said discharge chute is of a generally U-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said discharge chute comprises a generally arcuate shaped upwardly inclined bottom section and a pair of laterally spaced side sections, and wherein said step-shaped elements are longitudinally spaced along said arcuate bottom section and extend laterally between said side sections.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said discharge chute is of a one-piece molded construction.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a separator assembly disposed downstream from said finishing machine and adapted to effect separation of workpieces from said finishing media, and wherein said discharge chute is disposed interjacent the outlet end of said finishing machine and the inlet end of said separator assembly.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said finishing chamber comprises an elongated tub having inlet and outlet ends, said inlet end being elevated relative to said outlet end, wherein said separator assembly is disposed above said outlet end of said finishing tub, and wherein said discharge chute is adapted to effect elevation of workpieces and media from said outlet end of said finshing tub to said separator assembly.
 7. the invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for causing vibratory movement of said discharge chute imparts no forward movement of said workpieces and media.
 8. A discharge chute for a vibratory finishing machine including a downwardly inclined finishing chamber and vibratory means for imparting movement in a generally elliptical path transverse of the longitudinal axis of the chamber, said chute comprising a series of longitudinally arranged steplike elements adapted to impart an upwardly directed force on workpieces and finishing media moving into engagement therewith, each of said elements comprising a generally vertical forward portion facing toward the direction from which said workpieces and media are moving, and a substantially horizontally disposed portion extending in the direction of movement of said workpieces and media from the forward portion of the associated element to the forward portion of the next adjacent element, said substantially horizontally disposed portion extending slightly downwardly from the forward portion of the associated element toward the next adjacent downstream element.
 9. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 8 wherein said discharge chute is of a generally U-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section.
 10. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 9 wherein said discharge chute comprises a generally arcuate shaped upwardly inclined bottom section and a pair of laterally spaced side sections, and wherein said step-shaped elements are longitudinally spaced along said arcuate bottom section and extend laterally between said side sections.
 11. A discharge chute as set forth in claim 10 which includes attachment flange means formed integrally of said discharge chute for securing the same to an associated finishing machine.
 12. The discharge chute as set forth in claim 8 which is adapted to be operatively associated with a conveyor disposed downstream of said finishing machine.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said conveyor is disposed above the discharge end of a finishing tub of the finishing machine, and wherein said discharge chute is adapted to transfer finishing media and workpieces upwardly from the discharge end of said finishing chamber to the relatively elevated conveyor.
 14. The inventioN as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for causing vibratory movement of said discharge chute imparts no forward movement of said workpieces and media. 